how to file for disability benefits in florida

There are three separate ways you can file for Social Security Disability benefits in Florida:

• Online: You can apply online at ssa.gov.
• Telephone: You can apply over the telephone by calling the SSA’s toll-free customer service line at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778)
• In-person: You can apply in-person at your local Social Security field office. Find your local Florida office here.

Full Answer

How do you apply for disability benefits in Florida?

What Qualifies You for Disability in Florida Through SSDI?

• Status of Employment. In some instances, continuing to work while filing for SSDI benefits can present a problem. ...
• Severity of the Condition or Injury. ...
• Disabling Conditions. ...
• Ability to Perform Similar Work. ...
• Ability to Perform Different Work. ...
• Eligibility Tests. ...

What you should know before you apply for Social Security disability benefits?

^{Here are three of the key factors we use to determine if you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits:}

• You must have a lasting medical condition so severe that it prevents you from doing the work that you did in the past or adjusting to other types of work;
• Your physical or mental impairment (s) must have lasted or be expected to last at least a year or result in death; and
• You must have worked long enough — and recently enough — in jobs covered by Social Security.

What are the top 10 conditions that qualify for disability?

• Phenylketonuria (PKU)
• Other inborn errors of metabolism not specified elsewhere that are treated by medically prescribed diet to prevent neurological disability and/or severe organ damage. ...
• Cystic Fibrosis.

More items...

What are the requirements for collecting disability?

• meets the strict requirements of a Social Security impairment listing, or
• makes working at any of your past jobs impossible, or
• makes working at a less physically or mentally strenuous job impossible. ...

What qualifies you for disability in Florida?

An applicant typically must have earned 40 credits to be SSDI eligible, 20 of which were earned during the most recent 10 years. You must also show a documented disabling condition that meets the SSA's strict definition of total disability.

How much does disability pay per month in Florida?

How Much SSI Can I Get If I Live in Florida? The federal government will pay you SSI benefits of up to $794 per month (in 2021).

What conditions are considered a disability?

The legal definition of “disability” states that a person can be considered disabled if they are unable to perform any substantial gainful activity due to a medical or physical impairment or impairments which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of ...

Is Florida easy to get disability?

The national approval rate for disability hearings is about sixty percent, while Florida's average hearing approval rate is about fifty-seven percent. If you apply for disability benefits in Florida, you have a good chance of qualifying for disability benefits provided you appeal any disability denial.

What is the most approved disability?

1. Arthritis. Arthritis and other musculoskeletal disabilities are the most commonly approved conditions for disability benefits. If you are unable to walk due to arthritis, or unable to perform dexterous movements like typing or writing, you will qualify.

How long does it take to get disability approved in Florida?

Generally, it takes about 3 to 5 months to get a decision. However, the exact time depends on how long it takes to get your medical records and any other evidence needed to make a decision. * How does Social Security make the decision? We send your application to a state agency that makes disability decisions.

What are 4 hidden disabilities?

The four most common types of hidden disabilities are:Autoimmune Diseases. In most people, the body's immune system protects them from invaders like bacteria and viruses. ... Mental Health Conditions. ... Neurological Disorders. ... Chronic Pain and Fatigue Disorders.

What are the top 10 disabilities?

What Are the Top 10 Disabilities?Nervous System and Sense Organs. ... Intellectual Disabilities. ... Circulatory System. ... Schizophrenic and Other Psychotic Disorders. ... Other Mental Disorders. ... Injuries. ... Organic Mental Disorders. ... Neoplasms. Finally, the 10th top disability comes from neoplasms.More items...

Can you work while on disability?

Can You Work While on SSDI? Generally, SSDI recipients can't do what's considered "substantial gainful activity" (SGA) and continue to receive disability benefits. In a nutshell, doing SGA means you're working and making more than $1,350 per month in 2022 (or $2,260 if you're blind).

What is the hardest state to get disability?

OklahomaOklahoma is the hardest state to get for Social Security disability. This state has an SSDI approval rate of only 33.4% in 2020 and also had the worst approval rate in 2019 with 34.6% of SSDI applications approved. Alaska had the second-worst approval rate, with 35.3% of applications approved in 2020 and 36.2% in 2019.

How many Social Security offices are there in Florida?

Florida is home to 53 Social Security Field Offices, 9 Office of Disability Determination Services and 8 Offices of Disability Adjudication and review. These offices provide assistance to the residents who are looking to receive Social Security disability benefits.

Who provides Social Security Disability?

This is because Social Security Disability benefit programs are federal and are provided by the United States government through the Social Security Administration (SSA).

How does Florida vocational rehabilitation help?

Florida Vocational Rehabilitation Services is around to give assistance to those struggling with a disabling condition by helping them find and retain a job in the work force. All individuals who are receiving disability benefits through either Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are immediately eligible for VR services. Call ahead to schedule an appointment, as the VR offices have limited resources and will help those with the most severe disabilities first. To find your local VR office in Florida, check out our VR Offices in Florida page or contact the Division of VR Headquarters for Florida.

How long does it take to get a hearing in Florida?

The citizens of Florida generally have to wait much longer (more than 3 months) for a hearing date or final decision compared to the national average. Below is information about Florida’s hearing offices.

How long does it take to get disability in Florida?

Right now, it takes one year to schedule a Florida disability appeals hearing, on average. How soon can you get benefits after claim approval? Six months after you apply is the soonest the SSA will deposit your first payment. But if your first claim’s denied, you’ll have to wait more than a year for an appeals hearing. Florida disability claimants in Tallahassee have the shortest average wait time at 359 days, or 10 months. If you live in St. Petersburg, it’ll take you 725 days (14 months!) to appeal your case.

How long does it take for SSA to approve a disability application in Florida?

The SSA needs about 3-5 months to review every SSDI application for Florida disability benefits. Federal law also requires a five-month waiting period before the SSA can pay anyone SSDI benefits after they’re approved. Unfortunately, only 1 in 3 Florida disability applicants get approved for benefits from either program. However, getting a lawyer to help you file doubles your chances for approval the first time you apply. Florida disability applications take 425 days, on average, to process.

How much income do I need to qualify for SSI in Florida?

Your income must be less than $1,310/month to qualify for Florida disability benefits under the federal SSI program. This income includes money earned from working or any other sources, like savings account interest, alimony or child support payments. You must also have less than $2,000 in financial assets to your name to qualify for SSI Florida disability payments. This means anything you can sell for cash, like jewelry, stocks, bonds, plus 401 (k) or IRA account balances. However, the SSA won’t count certain items when totaling up your assets towards that limit, including:

How much is the maximum disability payment in Florida?

The maximum Florida disability payment from the SSDI program is $3,148/month. However, Florida disability beneficiaries on SSDI typically get $1,281.16 per month . The SSA averages your highest wages earned over a 35-year working history to figure out your monthly payment. However, the SSDI benefit amount you get paid each month may change in years with a cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) increase.

How much can I earn to qualify for SSI?

For eligible couples, the max amount in assets you can own is $3,000. In addition, you cannot earn or receive more than $1,310/month to qualify for SSI when applying as a couple.

How long does it take to stop working for SSDI?

Did you stop working within the last five years? SSDI is a federal insurance program. Once you stop working full-time for 60 months, your coverage lapses. So if your condition started six years ago and you haven’t worked since then, you won’t qualify for SSDI.

How long do you have to work to get SSDI?

Does your doctor say you’ll need to stop working at least one year for health reasons? Your health issue must last for 12 months or longer or result in your death to qualify for SSDI. If you get well enough to go back to work within a year, the SSA automatically denies your claim.

How old do you have to be to apply for disability?

You can use the online application to apply for disability benefits if you: Are age 18 or older; Are not currently receiving benefits on your own Social Security record; Are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death: and. Have not been denied disability benefits in the last 60 days.

What is a copy of Social Security?

A copy of your Social Security Statement. The beginning and ending dates of any active U.S. military service you had before 1968. A list of the jobs (up to 5) that you had in the 15 years before you became unable to work and the dates you worked at those jobs.

What is federal employee compensation?

Federal Employees' Compensation; State or local government disability insurance benefits; or. Disability benefits from the military (This includes military retirement pensions based on disability but not Veterans' Administration (VA) benefits.)

How to apply for SSDI in Florida?

You can apply for SSDI and SSI by contacting any of the 54 Social Security Administration (SSA) field offices in Florida or by filling out an online disability application at the Social Security website. Once the application is received by the local SSA office, it is sent to the Division of Disability Determinations (DDD) agency, which is under the Florida Department of Health. A claims examiner and medical consultant (doctor) at DDD will review the application and make a decision regarding whether or not you will receive disability benefits.

How many offices are there in Florida for disability?

In Florida, the DDD is divided into eight offices throughout the state. Below are the telephone numbers for each area office.

How many OHO offices are there in Florida?

The Office of Hearings Operations (OHO), formerly known as the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR), has eight locations in Florida.

What is the approval rating for disability in Florida?

In Florida, the approval rating at the disability hearing stage is 56%. This is above the national average approval rating of 45%, and the chance of approval increases if you hire ...

What happens if you are not satisfied with the Florida DDD?

If you are not satisfied with the determination that is made by the Florida DDD, you have the right to appeal the decision. In Florida, there are four parts to the appeal process.

Does Florida have SSI?

Florida offers optional state supplementation benefits (OSS) for some SSI recipients. Filing for disability in Florida is much like filing in any state because Social Security Disability (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are federal programs. However, there are variations between the states on how they handle ...

Does Florida pay SSI disability?

In 2019, the federal government provided the following monthly benefits to SSI disability recipients with no other income: While the federal government pays the bulk of the monthly benefit, states have the option to pay additional monthly benefits to individuals in their state. Florida has chosen to pay additional monies only to individuals living ...

How to apply for disability in Florida?

There are three ways you can apply for social security disability in Florida: online, by phone, or in person. Applying Online. To apply online, just sign-up for an SSA account. If you already have one, you only need to complete the disability benefit application and the medical release forms. Applying By Phone.

Why are my disability applications rejected in Florida?

Most of the time, applications get rejected because: their conditions did not meet the SSA’s definition of disability, or. they’re not insured for disability benefits. To increase your chances of getting approved, here are the top questions you need to ask before applying for disability in Florida. 1.

How does the SSA process disability claims?

The agency is also responsible for determining their eligibility of claims made under the state’s medically needy program. The actual processing of your claim, however, is handled by the Bureau of Medical Disability Program Operations. It’s in charge of adjudicating disability appeals too. After the initial disability evaluation, your claim is sent back to the SSA for final determination. This is where the SSA will look at whether you qualify for their technical requirements. If you meet all the medical and technical requirements, then your claim will be approved.

How much will the SSA pay in 2021?

Since covered earnings vary for everyone, the benefit amount can also differ for each person. According to the SSA, the average disability benefit as of April 2021 is $1,146.40 per person. Though most beneficiaries only receive between $800 to $1,800.

What is covered earnings for SSDI?

Covered earnings refer to your average income from which you’ve paid social security taxes.

How many applications for disability were denied in 2018?

In reality, however, disability applications are routinely denied for the most mundane of reasons. In 2018 alone, the SSA received over 20 million applications for disability benefits. Unfortunately, only 35% of them were granted that same year.

How long does it take to get disability?

In general, the SSA advises that you should apply for disability benefits as soon as possible. Disability benefit applications can take months to get approved. And there’s a very big chance that it can get denied. While waiting for the SSA’s decision, you need to pay for your medicine, food, and rent.